Every Saturday afternoon in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupparankundram, hundreds of monkeys gather across temple premises and nearby hills in anticipation of the arrival of a 76-year-old woman who has spent years making sure they do not go hungry.

Malathi, a retired police officer from Madurai, has been using a portion of her pension to feed monkeys in the area for nearly a decade. What began as an act of compassion has evolved into a weekly ritual that she says gives her immense happiness and purpose.

Service Continued After Retirement

Retirement in 2010 marked a new chapter for Malathi rather than the end of public service.

Before stepping away from work, she served in several roles, including as Director of Physical Education at Gandhigram University, worked at an international school in Kodaikanal and spent 33 years with the Tamil Nadu Police Department.

Since 2015, however, much of her attention has been devoted to the monkeys living around the Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and the surrounding hills.

Speaking to ANI, Malathi said she was moved to act after noticing the growing number of monkeys struggling to find food.

“These monkeys live in forested and hilly regions and struggle daily to find food. Around 2015, I noticed the large monkey population in and around Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple and decided to help them. Since then, I have been feeding them regularly,” she said.

Weekly Visits Continue Despite Health Challenges

For many years, Malathi visited the area every day. However, advancing age and health concerns have made daily trips difficult.

“For many years, I visited the area every day. However, I am now 76, and due to health issues, walking long distances has become difficult. Even so, I continue my service every Saturday,” she told ANI.

Every week, she visits six locations around Tirupparankundram, including the temple premises, Saravana Poigai, Palchunaikanda Subramaniam Temple, Mayil Thoppu, also known as Peacock Grove, and the Fort area.

Her arrival is often met by scores of monkeys that appear to recognise her calls.

Hundreds Gather at the Sound of Her Voice

According to Malathi, around 350 to 400 monkeys across the region gather when she arrives each Saturday afternoon.

“There are approximately 350 to 400 monkeys across these locations. Every Saturday at around 3:30 pm, when I call them, they gather for food. At some places, nearly 50 monkeys come at once. Around the Cave Temple, there are about 150 monkeys, while Peacock Grove is home to nearly 200 monkeys,” she said.

She said monkeys of all ages, from infants to adults, turn up for the food she brings.

For Malathi, the weekly exercise has become much more than a routine.

“Serving these animals gives me immense happiness and deep mental satisfaction. Their trust and affection bring great meaning to my life. As long as I am physically able, I will continue this mission. It is my sincere wish to carry on this service until the very end of my life,” she said.

Nearly a decade after she first began feeding the animals, Malathi’s Saturdays continue to revolve around a mission she considers deeply fulfilling.

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